A lot of activity in the theater right now, cleaning and painting the doors… If you’re on FaceBook look them up on their page, The Fox On Main – Stevens Point.
The first pictures of the auditorium have been released and printed in the newspaper. This is the first time the public has seen it since it’s closing in 1985. (I’m adding them to the photos on here.)
It’s a master thesis… The Grand Opera House of Stevens Point, 1894-1994 / by Russell F. Haines. It’s located in the UWSP library reference room, Call Number: F589.S76 H25 1995. There is a book and VHS.
From the “Arts Alliance of Portage County” Facebook page, Febuary 2, 2013…
Gerard McKenna, community volunteer and former Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Communication at UWSP, has agreed to serve as the Fox Theatre Steering Committee Chairperson.
“I look forward to being part of the new possibilities this will present to our community”, said Gerard McKenna. The planning for the future of this great Portage County historic and architectural landmark will be a long process which includes addressing the building’s current condition, completing a historic structures report, and securing renovation funding from various sources including grants and private donations.
A fund supporting the Fox Theatre, LLC and its mission to renovate and operate the Fox has been created at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, 1501 Clark Street, P.O. Box 968, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Donations are being accepted at this time.
The location of the theater is still standing, it was the Hanchett building. I was finally able to look at old fire insurances maps of Beloit and they had it in the building. I’ll post pics latter.
1926 exterior view of Wilson Theater. Standing on sidewalk from left to right are: Delia Berry Wilson, Orpha Wilson, Robert Paul Hollis, and Robert Henry Wilson. Wilson Theater, also known as Wilson Opera House, was originally named Goodwin House (dedicated as such on December 27, 1869).
There is a good chance it could be in the Hanchett (Hall) Block. Which is the large 4 story building that the last 2 comments where about. Hanchett Hall was built in 1856. There was a large meeting hall on the 3rd floor with high ceiling making the building 4 stories high. Abraham Lincoln gave a speech there on October 1, 1859.
It could have been in one of the shops on the ground floor.
The address of Hanchett Block now is 305-307-309 State St.
The photo I added of the State had the building way closer to Grand Ave. I know because my friends barber shop is in the same photo in the old Walt’s jewelry store.
I put up a photo of the Majestic from June or July 1951 on my flickr account. Dating photo from the movie that was playing, they were doing something outside for the moive Excuse my Dust. I’ll look up more info on the event later.
The unofficial vote count is Yes 2,597 No 1,925… Looks like the Fox may get its stage back some time soon. It’s hard watching a dream come true when I now live so far away from the Fox.
The topic of the downtown mall area is really hot right now; plans are to raze parts of it. The part where the stage was may be removed; fun how almost 30 years ago the city took of the stage and now the city wants to do the same with most of the mall. Almost 5.8 million dollars will be going the project if it passes in the February vote.
The mall in Stevens Point has very few stores left in it; I think I can say that it’s dying. The area where the stage was is almost totally empty, just the mall offices left in that area. Only one major store left there and some stores and a children’s museum. To think that what killed the Fox (or put it in a deep sleep) has finally killed it’s self… The marquee lights are on for Christmas.
New website for the theater. http://foxonmain.org/
Something recently put out by The Fox On Main… http://vimeo.com/107188124
Here’s a link to the listing on the theater. There are a few pictures of the inside.
http://www.hilgenbergrealtors.com/default.cfm/page/forsale/cat/display/mlsid/mls_newis/propertytype/commercial/ml_number/50096333/referer/Search%20Results.htm
A lot of activity in the theater right now, cleaning and painting the doors… If you’re on FaceBook look them up on their page, The Fox On Main – Stevens Point.
The first pictures of the auditorium have been released and printed in the newspaper. This is the first time the public has seen it since it’s closing in 1985. (I’m adding them to the photos on here.)
It’s a master thesis… The Grand Opera House of Stevens Point, 1894-1994 / by Russell F. Haines. It’s located in the UWSP library reference room, Call Number: F589.S76 H25 1995. There is a book and VHS.
I’m researching for the 2 missing links…
From the “Arts Alliance of Portage County” Facebook page, Febuary 2, 2013…
Gerard McKenna, community volunteer and former Dean of the College of Fine Arts & Communication at UWSP, has agreed to serve as the Fox Theatre Steering Committee Chairperson.
“I look forward to being part of the new possibilities this will present to our community”, said Gerard McKenna. The planning for the future of this great Portage County historic and architectural landmark will be a long process which includes addressing the building’s current condition, completing a historic structures report, and securing renovation funding from various sources including grants and private donations.
A fund supporting the Fox Theatre, LLC and its mission to renovate and operate the Fox has been created at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, 1501 Clark Street, P.O. Box 968, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Donations are being accepted at this time.
The location of the theater is still standing, it was the Hanchett building. I was finally able to look at old fire insurances maps of Beloit and they had it in the building. I’ll post pics latter.
The right side of the pic. The sign in the middle… L Y and the rest is covered by a pole.
1926 exterior view of Wilson Theater. Standing on sidewalk from left to right are: Delia Berry Wilson, Orpha Wilson, Robert Paul Hollis, and Robert Henry Wilson. Wilson Theater, also known as Wilson Opera House, was originally named Goodwin House (dedicated as such on December 27, 1869).
It was demolished in 1926 or 1927 to make room for the Beloit Savings Bank.
The address was 320 State St.
Everyone’s out parading around because gas rationing is over.
There is a good chance it could be in the Hanchett (Hall) Block. Which is the large 4 story building that the last 2 comments where about. Hanchett Hall was built in 1856. There was a large meeting hall on the 3rd floor with high ceiling making the building 4 stories high. Abraham Lincoln gave a speech there on October 1, 1859.
It could have been in one of the shops on the ground floor. The address of Hanchett Block now is 305-307-309 State St.
I’m not sure which city can clam the Mid-City Outdoor Theater. It was located in-between Beloit and Janesville.
The Majestic is playing my favorite black and white movie.
The picture I added of the Rex is from 1915. It’s the farthest 2 story building.
The photo I added of the State had the building way closer to Grand Ave. I know because my friends barber shop is in the same photo in the old Walt’s jewelry store.
The mall demo is moving along, I added a picture on my Flicker account. You can finally see the back of the Fox Theater from Center Point Dr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwilke/
I put up a photo of the Majestic from June or July 1951 on my flickr account. Dating photo from the movie that was playing, they were doing something outside for the moive Excuse my Dust. I’ll look up more info on the event later.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edwilke/
The unofficial vote count is Yes 2,597 No 1,925… Looks like the Fox may get its stage back some time soon. It’s hard watching a dream come true when I now live so far away from the Fox.
The topic of the downtown mall area is really hot right now; plans are to raze parts of it. The part where the stage was may be removed; fun how almost 30 years ago the city took of the stage and now the city wants to do the same with most of the mall. Almost 5.8 million dollars will be going the project if it passes in the February vote.
The mall in Stevens Point has very few stores left in it; I think I can say that it’s dying. The area where the stage was is almost totally empty, just the mall offices left in that area. Only one major store left there and some stores and a children’s museum. To think that what killed the Fox (or put it in a deep sleep) has finally killed it’s self… The marquee lights are on for Christmas.
The Rex-Ellis Theater in the City Directories, there were a lot of years missing at the public library. The number of the building changed a lot.
Rex Theater 628 4th St. (1914-1922)
Rex Theater 632 4th St. Phone 3356 (1926-1936)
Rex Theater 630 4th St. (1937-1954)
Ellis Theater 646 4th St. (1956)
Ellis Theater 626 ½ 4th St. (1958)
Ellis Theater 630 4th St. (1959-1978)
Myers Theater, rear view, 1970
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